Innovation in local government is about improving the lives of the people in our
communities. Browse through our case studies to see the many innovative programmes councils are involved
in.
The public health team for the London boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond launched a prevention framework focussed on addressing health inequalities three years ago. By working closely with council colleagues, the public health team has ensured it has had maximum impact
South Gloucestershire Council is committed to working with its communities and partners to tackle inequalities in all areas of life. In 2024 the council published a four-year tackling inequalities plan, which sets out a whole-council strategic approach to tackling inequalities in 10 areas of life – including health and wellbeing.
To address low breast cancer screening rates in Dudley and Netherton, a mobile screening unit was relocated to a central location, and a targeted awareness campaign was co-produced with local women.
Worcestershire’s smoking at time of delivery rate has historically been higher than the national average (12.2 per cent in 19/20). Worcestershire has had low rates of carbon monoxide screening in pregnancy, average quit rates that struggled to rise above 40 per cent and no service for women after they had given birth- meaning many would be likely to relapse and enter their next pregnancy as a smoker.
For Cheshire and Merseyside, as with many Marmot Places, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked collective action across the region’s nine local authorities to address and tackle existing and deepening health inequalities.
In 2019, the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, already conscious of the persisting health inequalities across its region, commissioned the UCL Institute of Health Equity (IHE) to help establish a Marmot City Region, focussing on reducing health inequalities in the social determinants of health.
Coventry became the first ‘Marmot City’ in 2013 after approaching the UCL Institute of Health Equity for support in reducing health inequalities in the city.
Every Marmot Place is different. Factors such as geography, demography or the economy impact on the social determinants of health and in turn the local population.